Cheng Wanwan and Kong Xiu Niang chatted a lot, and even thought of what style to make after weaving the cotton cloth.
In addition to making quilts for sale, the cotton from her more than 100 acres of land will also be made into clothes. She is really about to start planning now.
The more the two chatted, the more they chatted and became more speculative. Cheng Wanwan talked about theoretical knowledge, and Kong Xiuniang would directly point out the feasibility and complexity of practical operations...
While the conversation was getting heated, Xia Hua's voice sounded outside the door.
"Sister-in-law Shagen, why are you standing here and not going in?"
"Oh...I'm just about to go in."
Cheng Wanwan turned around and saw Xia Hua and Sun Shuiqin walking in together.
Sun Shuiqin's expression was as usual, holding a stack of paper in her hand. She said hello to Cheng Wanwan first, and then said: "I heard Kong Xiu Niang said that the design draft was not enough. I had nothing to do at home, so I just drew some casually. , embroiderer, can you see if it can be done?"
Five design drafts were placed on the table. They were drawn with charcoal. The brush strokes were a bit immature, but the overall look was very good.
Cao Yingying's designs are more conservative, while Sun Shuiqin's designs are much bolder, adding many different elements.
"Yes, very good." Kong Xiu Niang nodded, "I bought these five manuscripts. How about a total of three taels of silver?"
Although only four pieces of clothing are made in one style, each style will be made in similar styles, that is, slightly modified on the original basis, which will create one or even more styles. You can buy five designs for only three taels of silver. deficit.
"What are you talking about, Ms. Kong Xiuqin?" Sun Shuiqin quickly declined, "You teach me how to embroider for free. How can I help design manuscripts and ask for money? Then who am I?"
Kong Xiu Niang's eyes showed approval: "There are some minor problems with these five styles of yours. Come over tomorrow morning and I will explain them to you in detail."
Sun Shuiqin was overjoyed: "Thank you Kong Xiu Niang!"
After she left, Cheng Wanwan couldn't help but ask: "What do Kong Xiu Niang think of the stupid daughter-in-law?"
"When I first met her, I thought her embroidery skills were good, but later I found out that she was a little eager for quick success and quick gains." Kong Xiu Niang told the truth, "However, for those who learn crafts, eager for quick success and quick gains is actually a good thing. As long as it is what I teach, she will do it that day." It must be understood that one time, when it was already dark, she came to me with a handkerchief to ask for advice... She was willing to learn, willing to ask, and very willing to be exposed to new things. She was the most talented among the little girls in Dahe Village. .”
Cheng Wanwan nodded. It's a good thing that Sun Shuiqin is ambitious, as long as she doesn't make mistakes.
The peak season for cotton picking was in August. During this month, Zhao Dashan never had a good rest. He was busy in the fields with the long-term workers every day. Cheng Jia and his four brothers also soaked in the cotton fields, and they were all sunburned. Well black.
The ladies and maids at home were naturally not idle either, sitting and peeling cotton with the old ladies in the village.
Because they sat together and chatted every day, these women and maids from the capital soon became fluent in the Dahe Village dialect. They even knew which family in the village had just married a daughter-in-law and which family had given birth to puppies. , which can be regarded as completely integrated into this environment.
By the end of August, the cotton in the cotton fields finally became thinner, and everyone felt relaxed.
At this time, Cheng Zhao and Shen Zheng returned from Huzhou in a carriage.
Seeing the two of them, Cheng Wanwan remembered that this year's provincial examination was coming. This dynasty's rural examination is scheduled for the end of September every year. Because it is autumn, it is also called Qiuwei. Candidates have to go to the provincial capital to take the examination. Huzhou is a prefectural city. There is the provincial capital further up, and the capital city is further up from the provincial capital.
Going to Huzhou is closer, it takes half a day by horse-drawn carriage. The provincial capital is a little further, so we set off early in the morning and arrive at night.
"Xiao Zheng, didn't you say you wouldn't take part in the provincial examination?" Cheng Wanwan was very curious, "What made you change your mind?"
Shen Zheng rubbed his nose. He had indeed not planned to take the provincial examination originally, but the look in Mrs. Lin's eyes at his godmother's promotion banquet that day made him change his decision.
Originally, he didn't know why he kept remembering Mrs. Lin's eyes.
But until he dreamed of the woman in a green shirt every night, he suddenly understood.
He is seventeen years old. It should be normal for him to fall in love with a woman and want to marry her.
Shen Zheng said nothing, and Cheng Wanwan couldn't help but become more curious.
Cheng Zhao said: "Brother Shen has worked very hard this month and even forced me to give him exam questions."
"Hey, what is forced?" Shen Zheng said dissatisfied, "We are brothers, please help me. When the time comes, we will pass the Juren exam together, and then go to Beijing to take the exam together, so we can take care of each other."
"Not bad, Xiaozheng. If your father knows that you are so motivated, he will be very happy." Cheng Wanwan patted his shoulder, "Work hard, my godmother believes that you will be able to pass the exam."
Shen Zheng said with a smile: "When I pass the exam, can I ask my godmother to be my matchmaker?"
Cheng Wanwan's eyes lit up: "It seems that our Xiaozheng has a girl he likes. As long as you can pass the exam, my godmother will agree to whatever you say."
Cheng Zhao turned his head suspiciously: "You and I are together day and night. When did Brother Shen have someone he likes, and I didn't know about it?"
"Hmph, you'll know when I pass the exam. If I don't pass, there's no need to say anything."
Shen Zheng walked in swaggeringly, lay down on Cheng's crooked recliner, ate late-season grapes, and swung his legs comfortably.
During the last exam, Cheng Wanwan went to Huzhou in order to see the world and have a tell-tale origin for the things in the mall... But this time, there seemed to be a lot of trivial matters after the provincial exam. If Good luck, I'm afraid she won't be able to come back this year... Plus she can't leave home, so she won't go with her.
Shen Zheng was accompanied by Ah Fu to take the exam, but Cheng Zhao was alone from beginning to end. So, she called Cheng Ding and asked him to accompany her to the provincial capital. If the incident like the last time she went back to Huzhou happened again, Cheng Ding would be with her. With side protection, he should not be caught by someone trying to catch his son-in-law.
"Oh Ah Fu, you'd better not go with me. Godmother can arrange for someone to accompany me." Shen Zheng blinked deliberately, "I heard that you and Chunhua, hehehehe..."
Ah Fu blushed: "The old lady gave me a shop. I plan to open a shop in partnership with Mr. Zhao. I don't have any experience. I can go to the provincial capital to see the world and learn a bit."
"You're such a fu, you've forgotten your loyalty." Shen Zheng hit him on the head with a fan, "I haven't even married a wife yet, and you can't wait so hard, tsk tsk!"
Ah Fu coughed and said, "Chunhua hasn't let go yet. Master, stop joking, otherwise Chunhua will be angry."
When he said this, everyone in the courtyard laughed.
Shen Zheng and Cheng Zhao planned to stay here for one night, go home tomorrow, and set off for the provincial capital early the day after tomorrow.
Cheng Wanwan asked Mrs. Ma to make more snacks and pancakes, and also bought some dried meat and fish from the mall for the two of them to eat on the road, and reserved some for the two of them to take into the examination room. I heard that the provincial examination was held for nine days and nine days. At night, staying in a small grid for such a long time can imagine how much mental pressure people will have.
She can't help in other aspects, but she must be satisfied with food.
